FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Pennsylvania

In a typical Pennsylvania location, start seeds indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 6 in Philadelphia and as late as May 22 in Hermitage.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
PhiladelphiaFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
PittsburghFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
AllentownFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
ErieMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
ReadingFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 21 – Apr 28
ScrantonFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
BethlehemFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
BensalemFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
LancasterFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
AbingtonFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
LevittownFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
HavertownFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
HarrisburgFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
AltoonaFeb 28 – Mar 14May 2 – May 9
YorkMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
State CollegeFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
Wilkes-BarreFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
NorristownFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
ChesterFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 6 – Apr 13
Mount LebanonFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
Bethel ParkFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2
WayneFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
RadnorFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
WilliamsportFeb 28 – Mar 14May 2 – May 9
MonroevilleFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 29 – May 6
Cranberry TownshipFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
Drexel HillFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
PlumFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
Back MountainFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
EastonFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 25 – May 2

Showing the 30 most populous of 121 Pennsylvania cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Pennsylvania cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Pennsylvania?

In a typical Pennsylvania location, start seeds indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 6 in Philadelphia and as late as May 22 in Hermitage.

When is the last frost in Pennsylvania?

The average last spring frost in Pennsylvania ranges from March 30 in Philadelphia to May 15 in Hermitage, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Pennsylvania

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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